Waterfalls, Glaciers, More Waterfalls, Moose, Turquois Lakes, Waterfalls: Our Time in Glacier National Park

Richard and I wrapped up an unforgettable trip to Glacier National Park. It’s impossible to sum up all the wonders, views, and experiences. We hiked everyday; we saw countless waterfalls; we lucked out not only by getting the coveted “Vehicle Reservation” for “Going to the Sun Road” (which turns out to be a pass to enter the park at all between 6:00 am and 4:00 pm) but also by being there—with pass in hand—on the first day of the season that they opened the road; we hiked in snow at the top of the pass (including as a thunderstorm rolled in); we saw a moose just 50 yards away at Grinnell Lake; and we trekked through a trail detour right after hearing another hiker say there had been a grizzly sighting moments earlier.

I can only encourage you to go see this wonder of the Rocky Mountains yourselves. Here is a slice of how our experience went:

Phrases heard in or near Glacier National Park:

• Me: “But the ‘Vehicle Reservation’ says it’s for going on that road, and we’re not going on that road.” Park Ranger: “You still need one to get into the park.” Me: “But it’s called a ‘Going-to-the-Sun-Road Vehicle Reservation,’ and that road isn’t even open.” Ranger: “You still need one to get into the park.”
• Richard: “Usually you hike most of the way just to get to the scenic part. On this hike, the entire hike IS the scenic part.”
• Richard: “Do you want to stop and take picture?” Me: “No, it’s just another waterfall.”
• Me, as thunderstorm rolls in while we hike in a field of snow: “You know, this [i.e., ignoring a brewing storm] is how people die on Everest.” Richard: “We’re not on Everest.”
• Me: “I scanned the opposite side of the lake with my binoculars and I didn’t spot any animals.” Richard, turning in my direction and eyes widening. “I see one. There’s a full-grown moose right behind you.”
• Me: “This is the first time on this hike that I’m glad you brought that bear bell.”
• Me: “Do you think you should get the bear spray out of the holster?”

Places we stayed in or near Glacier National Park:

• Someone’s field near Flathead Lake, en route to West Glacier
• Someone’s 35-acre property that they have converted into a private campground, 6 miles from the western entrance of the park
• Someone’s random field on the east side in hopes we could get a first-come, first-served spot early (8:30) the next morning at Many Glacier Campground
• [Failed attempt to stay at] The first-come, first-served Many Glacier Campground on the east side of the park (where apparently you have to get in line at 5:00 am for a chance to get a spot)
• A KOA RV park (after not getting a spot at Many Glacier Campground)
• Behind a coffee shop in Choteau, MT (that’s how it’s spelled; I really wanted to ask how it’s pronounced) on our way “home” to Great Falls.

Things we were less thrilled about in or near Glacier National Park

• In the words of William Clark, of Lewis & Clark, who passed near here in 1804, “The mosquitos were exceedingly troublesome.”

Things we were less thrilled about while living in the van in or near Glacier National Park

• The shoddy quality of the van’s mosquito netting

Things we appreciated while living in the van in or near Glacier National Park

• The tennis racket-shaped electrified bug zapper

Things we’ll never forget about our time in or near Glacier National Park

• Avalanche Lake Hike: roaring creek of turquois glacial runoff, waterfalls and rocky cliffs glistening with snow melt; deer about 5 feet away that absolutely don’t give a shit that humans are there
• The Going to the Sun Road: It is insanely beautiful, but it also has terrifying cliff drop-offs at the edge of the road, with no shoulder (and I was on the passenger side—with no shoulder!)
• Seeing a moose
• Fear of seeing a grizzly
• Spectacular panoramas of this magnificent part of the Rocky Mountains
• Getting to share this unforgettable experience together